strop

[ strop ]

noun

1. any of several devices for sharpening razors, especially a strip of leather or other flexible material.
2. Also Nautical, Machinery.
   1. a rope or a band of metal surrounding and supporting a block, deadeye, etc.
   2. a metal band surrounding the pulley of a block to transmit the load on the pulley to its hook or shackle.
   3. a rope sling, as for handling cargo.
   4. a ring or grommet of rope.

verb (used with object)

, stropped, strop·ping.

1. to sharpen on or as if on a strop.

strop

/ strɒp /

noun

1. a leather strap or an abrasive strip for sharpening razors
2. a rope or metal band around a block or deadeye for support
3. informal.
   a temper tantrum

   he threw a strop and stormed off

verb

1. tr to sharpen (a razor, etc) on a strop

Other Words From

• stropper noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of strop¹

before 1050; Middle English (noun), Old English; cognate with Dutch, Low German strop; all probably < Latin stroppus, variant of struppus strap

Word History and Origins

Origin of strop¹

C14 (in nautical use: a strip of rope): via Middle Low German or Middle Dutch strop, ultimately from Latin stroppus, from Greek strophos cord; see strophe

Example Sentences

In an interview recorded long after he was emancipated, he remembered, “If slaves rebelled, I done seed them whip them with a strop called ‘cat-nine-tails.’

From Literature

Mr Diamond told police he thought she was in a "strop" and "huff" because he had stopped her, so he started trying to kiss her again.

From BBC

I don't know what the style is, there seems no plan, no effort, players stropping at one another.

From BBC

The tour, for which the Jacksonville show was the sixth strop, runs through October and is in support of the March release of Wallen’s sophomore album, “One Thing at a Time.”

From Los Angeles Times

He left the field in a strop often enough after games, so what might he be saying in private given the overall malaise at Old Trafford?

From BBC

Related Words

• belt
• harness
• leash